Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 9:33 p.m.

State parks throughout the area plan special hikes on New Year's Day to help get the new year off to a healthy start for those resolving to be healthier or start exercising in 2013.

Eight parks will conduct guided hikes and nature walks as part of a First Day Hike event, a national promotion organized by America's State Parks. The hikes — at least 627 are planned nationwide — encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy a state park on New Year's Day.

The Florida Park Service has 61 parks participating, "more than any other state," said spokeswoman Jennifer Diaz.

Though the idea originated in Massachusetts 20 years ago, America's State Parks launched the promotion nationwide for Jan 1. 2012, in an effort to get families and individuals outside to reconnect with nature and take a "healthy hike" for exercise.

Nationwide last year, 14,000 participants logged over 30,000 miles on 400 hikes at state parks in all 50 states, said Priscilla Geigis, president of the National Association of State Park Directors. "To start 2013, we're offering over 500 hikes nationwide and inviting kids and adults to get their hearts pumping and experience the beauty of our state parks."

The parks provide the "perfect environment to get naturally healthy," Geigis stated.

This year, Florida Park Service officials "challenged all of our parks and volunteers to think about what's going on Jan. 1 and see if they could hold an event," Diaz said. They had "a great response."

Florida doubled its involvement this year.

"A lot of the parks are excited about it and responded to it, all over the state," she said.

At Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area in Flagler Beach, for example, a ranger will lead a guided hike on the park's Joe Kenner Trail, named in honor of a late state park biologist who worked for years at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City.

"We're definitely looking forward to it," said Barbara Manzer, an administrative assistant at Gamble Rogers. The trail leads along an ongoing marsh restoration at the park that has spawned "a lot of new fish and bird life," Manzer said.

Melissa Kafel, a park services specialist at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park on Flagler's northern coast, said their staff decided to do an event this year after seeing the success of the event last New Year's Day at Gamble Rogers.

"It looked like a great event," she said. It gives everyone a chance to "work some of that holiday goodness off."

Diaz said the park service is encouraging employees, volunteers and visitors to take photos and videos and share them with the parks on Facebook. She said they hope the events prompt people to return to the parks to enjoy them, "not just in January but during the entire year."

The national association's executive director, Phil McKnelly, said getting outdoors and connecting with the natural world is "one great way to relieve the stress of work and school and relax in the quiet calm of these wonderful natural settings."

"We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual's or family's regular exercise routine," McKnelly said.

Local parks planning First Day Hikes

Blue Spring State Park, French Ave., Orange City, 8 a.m. — A half-mile walk along the Blue Spring boardwalk to help document the numbers and distribution of manatees in the spring run on transect log data sheets. Meet at the lower parking lot. Bring a camera, questions, weather-appropriate clothing and a clipboard. Regular entrance fees apply.

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, County Road 2001, between S.R. 100 and Old Dixie Highway, 10 -11 a.m. — A ranger will guide a hike along a mulched trail and paved sidewalks around the coquina sugar mill ruins and remnants of the manor house and workers' village. Bring sunscreen and bug repellent and dress appropriately for the weather. Regular park entry fees apply.

De Leon Springs State Park, at the intersection of Ponce de Leon and Burt Parks Road, DeLeon Springs, 9-11 a.m. — A guided hike through floodplain and forest to discuss the park's natural and cultural history while viewing plants and animals. Bring appropriate clothing, such as long trousers and closed shoes, as well as water and bug spray to use if needed. Individuals with special needs should call first so park staff could make reasonable accommodations, park officials said. Regular entrance fees apply.

Faver-Dykes State Park, Faver-Dykes Road, off U.S. 1, just north of Flagler County, east of Interstate 95,1 p.m. — Guided nature hike along the Hiram-Faver Nature Trail, a 2.6-mile loop. Participants will learn about the flora and fauna and hear a brief historical overview. Meet at the ranger station. Bring water, bug spray and comfortable walking shoes. Regular entry fees apply.

Haw Creek State Park, County Road 2007, Bunnell, 10:30 –11 a.m. — Join a ranger for a half-hour guided hike at Haw Creek, starting at Russell Landing and traveling along a boardwalk. Bring sunscreen, water and bug repellent and dress appropriately for the weather. No fees.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, State Road A1A, two miles south of Marineland, 1 p.m. — Guided hike along the Mala Compra Trail, through the park's maritime hammock and estuary. Participants will learn about the wildlife that may be seen in the park and hear a brief historical overview. Meet at the main parking lot. Participants should bring cameras, water, sunscreen, bug repellent and comfortable walking shoes. Meet at the Main Garden Parking Lot. Regular entry fees apply.

<p>State parks throughout the area plan special hikes on New Year's Day to help get the new year off to a healthy start for those resolving to be healthier or start exercising in 2013. </p><p>Eight parks will conduct guided hikes and nature walks as part of a First Day Hike event, a national promotion organized by America's State Parks. The hikes &mdash; at least 627 are planned nationwide &mdash; encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy a state park on New Year's Day. </p><p>The Florida Park Service has 61 parks participating, "more than any other state," said spokeswoman Jennifer Diaz. </p><p>Though the idea originated in Massachusetts 20 years ago, America's State Parks launched the promotion nationwide for Jan 1. 2012, in an effort to get families and individuals outside to reconnect with nature and take a "healthy hike" for exercise. </p><p>Nationwide last year, 14,000 participants logged over 30,000 miles on 400 hikes at state parks in all 50 states, said Priscilla Geigis, president of the National Association of State Park Directors. "To start 2013, we're offering over 500 hikes nationwide and inviting kids and adults to get their hearts pumping and experience the beauty of our state parks." </p><p>The parks provide the "perfect environment to get naturally healthy," Geigis stated. </p><p>This year, Florida Park Service officials "challenged all of our parks and volunteers to think about what's going on Jan. 1 and see if they could hold an event," Diaz said. They had "a great response." </p><p>Florida doubled its involvement this year. </p><p>"A lot of the parks are excited about it and responded to it, all over the state," she said. </p><p>At Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area in Flagler Beach, for example, a ranger will lead a guided hike on the park's Joe Kenner Trail, named in honor of a late state park biologist who worked for years at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. </p><p>"We're definitely looking forward to it," said Barbara Manzer, an administrative assistant at Gamble Rogers. The trail leads along an ongoing marsh restoration at the park that has spawned "a lot of new fish and bird life," Manzer said. </p><p>Melissa Kafel, a park services specialist at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park on Flagler's northern coast, said their staff decided to do an event this year after seeing the success of the event last New Year's Day at Gamble Rogers. </p><p>"It looked like a great event," she said. It gives everyone a chance to "work some of that holiday goodness off." </p><p>Diaz said the park service is encouraging employees, volunteers and visitors to take photos and videos and share them with the parks on Facebook. She said they hope the events prompt people to return to the parks to enjoy them, "not just in January but during the entire year." </p><p>The national association's executive director, Phil McKnelly, said getting outdoors and connecting with the natural world is "one great way to relieve the stress of work and school and relax in the quiet calm of these wonderful natural settings." </p><p>"We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual's or family's regular exercise routine," McKnelly said.</p><p><b>Local parks planning First Day Hikes</b></p><p>Blue Spring State Park, French Ave., Orange City, 8 a.m. &mdash; A half-mile walk along the Blue Spring boardwalk to help document the numbers and distribution of manatees in the spring run on transect log data sheets. Meet at the lower parking lot. Bring a camera, questions, weather-appropriate clothing and a clipboard. Regular entrance fees apply.</p><p>Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, County Road 2001, between S.R. 100 and Old Dixie Highway, 10 -11 a.m. &mdash; A ranger will guide a hike along a mulched trail and paved sidewalks around the coquina sugar mill ruins and remnants of the manor house and workers' village. Bring sunscreen and bug repellent and dress appropriately for the weather. Regular park entry fees apply.</p><p>De Leon Springs State Park, at the intersection of Ponce de Leon and Burt Parks Road, DeLeon Springs, 9-11 a.m. &mdash; A guided hike through floodplain and forest to discuss the park's natural and cultural history while viewing plants and animals. Bring appropriate clothing, such as long trousers and closed shoes, as well as water and bug spray to use if needed. Individuals with special needs should call first so park staff could make reasonable accommodations, park officials said. Regular entrance fees apply.</p><p>Faver-Dykes State Park, Faver-Dykes Road, off U.S. 1, just north of Flagler County, east of Interstate 95,1 p.m. &mdash; Guided nature hike along the Hiram-Faver Nature Trail, a 2.6-mile loop. Participants will learn about the flora and fauna and hear a brief historical overview. Meet at the ranger station. Bring water, bug spray and comfortable walking shoes. Regular entry fees apply.</p><p>Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area, 3100 S. State Road A1A, Flagler Beach, 10 a.m. &mdash; Meet at Killdeer Picnic Pavilion. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. Well-behaved pets on leashes allowed. Regular entry fees apply.</p><p>Haw Creek State Park, County Road 2007, Bunnell, 10:30 –11 a.m. &mdash; Join a ranger for a half-hour guided hike at Haw Creek, starting at Russell Landing and traveling along a boardwalk. Bring sunscreen, water and bug repellent and dress appropriately for the weather. No fees.</p><p>Hontoon Island State Park, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., 2309 River Ridge Road, DeLand. &mdash;A guided hike along the hammock trail. No fees.</p><p>Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, State Road A1A, two miles south of Marineland, 1 p.m. &mdash; Guided hike along the Mala Compra Trail, through the park's maritime hammock and estuary. Participants will learn about the wildlife that may be seen in the park and hear a brief historical overview. Meet at the main parking lot. Participants should bring cameras, water, sunscreen, bug repellent and comfortable walking shoes. Meet at the Main Garden Parking Lot. Regular entry fees apply.</p>